Family Builds Bed On Wheels So Senior Dog Can Go To The Beach One Last Time

Aug 05, 2021 by apost team

Many pet owners feel that their pets, be they cats, dogs, rodents, or any other kind of animal, truly become a part of the family. So much so that they want to keep them just as happy as their human family members and happily take up work or hardships to make their lives better.

When a cherished, precious pet begins to grow old, many pet owners are willing to go to great lengths to ensure their beloved pet will spend their last years on earth in an as comfortable way as possible.
Sometimes this is easy when the pet in question enjoys good health. Sadly, this is not always the case. Our animal companions suffer from the maladies of age just as we do and may face health challenges exactly the same way. When faced with a chronically ill or otherwise suffering pet, loving pet owners often show great courage, motivation and inventiveness to keep their animal companions as happy as possible.

That's what happened to Tom and Lauren Antonio, a happy couple living in Georgia.
A few weeks back, a photo of Tom and his and his wife's 16-year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Cocoa made the rounds on social media, gathering thousands of shares on Facebook and even more on other social media platforms. Apost spoke to the couple about the time they spent with their beloved Cocoa, how they met their furry companion and came up with the idea of a mobile bed to make her last days more comfortable. And about what advice they would give to other owners of senior animals.

Cocoa had a special bond with the Antonio family from the start. Speaking to apost, the couple explained that their son Matthew had picked the type of dog the family would get after reading dog books with his parents. After the decision was made, Tom and Matthew traveled to a small town in Georgia to pick the little bundle of fluff up at eight weeks old.
Picking a pet together as a family is already a special experience that forms an instant bond with the animal, but in the case of the Antonio's, it just so happened that Cocoa's birthday fell on the same day that Tom's father had passed away, adding to the connection. When father and son arrived and saw Cocoa and her fellow littermates, they soon realized little Cocoa was the dog they wanted.
"When Matthew went to look at the puppies, she came over and had the best, most loving personality. It was obvious she belonged with us,"  Tom told apost.

Cocoa spent many happy years with the Antonio family. They shared many experiences with their family dog and made many memories. The couple told apost:
"When Cocoa was young, we enjoyed throwing a ball with her, letting her roam in the woods, taking her to parks, letting her swim in the river, etc… She was a large breed, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and was 114 pounds at her prime. We called her Mighty Cocoa. She was very gentle but had a loud, strong bark when she had something to say or when she wanted a treat!"

apost.com

Cocoa was a large but gentle dog. The couple told apost about how gentle she would be with the family's other pets and even wildlife: "Cocoa's mouth was like a silk purse and she brought a live bird in her mouth in our house."

Sadly, as time went on, Cocoa started to lose her mobility. The couple told us: "When she lost mobility, it was tough in the beginning but then we got a routine. We were able to transfer Cocoa to an ottoman in front of our bed by using the creeper to move her, and using a sheet/blanket system to lift her. We also had to switch what side she was laying on a couple times a day. We had several places around the house [...] that we would put her." The beloved Cocoa was almost never left alone and always included in the family in some way.

Initially, the family carried her around the house, but this was hard for a dog of her size - especially when one part of the couple had to travel. Then Tom got the bright idea to order a mechanic's creeper - the device mechanics use to roll underneath cars or machinery they are working on. The rest was easy: 
"A vet had suggested we get an Orvis bed to help deal with pressure sores that often come along with immobility. We put the Orvis bed onto the mechanic's creeper and tied a rope to the front of the creeper and Voila! It worked."
Using this ingenious solution, the couple tried to give Cocoa the best experience possible during her last days. They took her on walks on her bed and even took her with them for one last vacation. During this vacation, a bystander made the now-famous beach photo.

Rest in peace, Mighty Cocoa. We hope every pet can enjoy their last days as much as they are able. Have you ever cared for a pet during their last days? Tell us about your experiences and pass this story along.